About the Journal

About the Brazilian Journal of Bioethics (RBB)

The Brazilian Journal of Bioethics (RBB) is an online academic journal (e-ISSN: 1808-6020) dedicated to disseminating research and debates in the field of bioethics, focusing especially on its epistemological foundation and persistent and emerging situations that are the focus of study in this area of knowledge. Published under the responsibility of the Graduate Program in Bioethics at the University of Brasília (UnB), the journal aims to contribute to the advancement of bioethical knowledge and its critical and socially committed application at both national and international levels.

Focus and Scope

RBB publishes original articles exploring various dimensions of bioethics, including theoretical analyses, empirical studies, and discussions on ethical dilemmas in scientific, social, and public health contexts. The journal is committed to fostering an in-depth understanding of contemporary and counter-hegemonic bioethical challenges, promoting debates that broaden the inter- and transdisciplinary, intercultural, and decolonial dialogue.

Section Policies

Articles

  • Standard section policy

Política padrão de seção

Verificado Open submissions Verificado Peer-reviewed Verificado 

Peer Review Process

All manuscripts submitted to RBB undergo an initial editorial review to ensure compliance with submission guidelines, such as formatting, word count, and inclusion of trilingual abstracts. Subsequently, the Editorial Board conducts a preliminary assessment of the manuscript’s scientific merit and thematic relevance. Manuscripts relevant to the journal’s scope are sent for blind peer review by two experts with recognized expertise in bioethics. Reviewers have 30 days to submit their recommendations, which support the editorial decision to accept, request revisions, or reject the manuscript. Afterward, authors make the necessary adjustments, and the Editorial Board performs a final review, followed by formatting and publication. The editorial process is described below.

Open Access Policy

The Brazilian Journal of Bioethics adheres to the principle of free and immediate access to its content, aiming to promote the open and democratic dissemination of scientific knowledge. Free access allows the public to engage directly with studies and research in bioethics, broadening the social and academic impact of scientific production.

Archiving and Preservation

To ensure the preservation and continuous access to its content, the RBB uses the LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe) system, which creates a distributed archive among partner libraries. This guarantees that the journal maintains permanent copies of its volumes, ensuring their integrity and enabling restoration if necessary.

Editorial Process

The Brazilian Journal of Bioethics follows a rigorous editorial process to guarantee the quality and relevance of published articles, detailed as follows:

  1. Submission by the Author:

    • The author submits the article through the online submission system.
    • Required documents:
      • Manuscript in Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, or RTF format.
      • Title page with author information.

  2. Initial Evaluation by the Editorial Board:

    • The editorial team assesses the manuscript’s merit and formatting.
    • Decides whether the article will proceed to peer review.

  3. Peer Review:

    • Two expert reviewers evaluate the manuscript based on relevance, originality, methodology, and quality.
    • Reviews may result in acceptance, rejection, or a request for adjustments.
    • In case of disagreement between reviewers, the manuscript is sent for a third independent review.

  4. Consolidated Review:

    • Based on the reviews, the Editorial Board decides to accept, reject, or request revisions.
    • Authors receive a consolidated review with feedback and instructions.

  5. Revisions by Authors:

    • Authors of approved articles make the suggested revisions and submit the updated manuscript.
    • Authors must also submit the Copyright Declaration form at this stage.
    • If necessary, the editorial team may request additional revisions.

  6. Final Review by the Editorial Board:

    • The editorial team verifies the manuscript’s content, clarity, and formatting after author revisions.

  7. Formatting and Final Layout:

    • The manuscript is adjusted according to the journal’s formatting standards.

  8. Approval by Authors:

    • Authors receive the final version for approval and confirmation of the changes.

  9. Publication:

    • The article is sent to the Central Library of the University of Brasília (BCE) for online publication.